Appropriate use of advanced technologies for radiation therapy and surgery in oncology workshop summary

Participants explored clinical benefits and comparative effectiveness of emerging advanced technologies for cancer treatment in radiation therapy and surgery and potential strategies to assess the value and promote optimal use of new technologies in cancer treatment. This report summarizes the prese...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Nass, Sharyl J.
Corporate Authors: National Cancer Policy Forum (U.S.), Appropriate Use of Advanced Technologies for Radiation Therapy and Surgery in Oncology (Workshop) (2015, Washington, D.C.)
Other Authors: Patlak, Margie ([rapporteur])
Format: eBook
Language:English
Published: Washington, DC National Academies Press [2016], 2016
Subjects:
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Collection: National Center for Biotechnology Information - Collection details see MPG.ReNa
Description
Summary:Participants explored clinical benefits and comparative effectiveness of emerging advanced technologies for cancer treatment in radiation therapy and surgery and potential strategies to assess the value and promote optimal use of new technologies in cancer treatment. This report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the workshop
In recent years, the field of oncology has witnessed a number of technological advances, including more precise radiation therapy and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Three-dimensional (3D), stereotactic, and proton-beam radiation therapy, as well as laparoscopy and robotic surgery, can enhance clinician's ability to treat conditions that were clinically challenging with conventional technologies, and may improve clinical outcomes or reduce treatment-related problems for some patients. Both patients and physicians seek access to these new technologies, which are rapidly being adopted into standard clinical practice. Such demand is often propelled by marketing that portrays the new technologies as the "latest and greatest" treatments available.
However, evidence is often lacking to support these claims, and these novel technologies usually come with higher price tags and are often used to treat patients who might have achieved similar benefits from less expensive, conventional treatment. The increased cost of novel treatments without adequate assessment of how they affect patient outcomes is a pressing concern given that inappropriate use of expensive technologies is one of the key factors that threaten the affordability of cancer care in the United States. To explore these issues further, the National Cancer Policy Forum (NCPF) of the Institute of Medicine organized a workshop in July 2015. This NCPF workshop entitled "Appropriate Use of Advanced Technologies for Radiation Therapy and Surgery in Oncology," held on July 20 and 21, 2015, in Washington, DC, is the third in a series examining the affordability of cancer care.
Physical Description:1 PDF file (xx, 89 pages) illustrations
ISBN:9780309381291
0309381290